About
David is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and was admitted in November 1998.
Experience & Areas of Expertise
David is a Panel member of the Law Society Mental Health Accreditation Scheme. David represents clients who are detained under the Mental Health Act 1983. This includes clients detained under Sections 2, 3 and 37. He also represents clients who are detained under restricted sections of the Mental Health Act including Sections 37/41, 47/49 and 48/49. Due to the nature of the work, David frequently attends hospitals and establishments where clients are being treated. This includes hospitals in London and Essex and those further afield.
With the introduction of the new Mental Health Act 2007, David also represents clients who are subject to Community Treatment Orders, both at Hospital Managers’ Hearings, but also at Mental Health Tribunals.
In addition to this work, David also advises and assists clients in other areas of mental health including statutory aftercare and accommodation issues.
David is the supervisor of our mental health team.
Awards
David was shortlisted for the award of Mental Heath Lawyer of The Year at the LAPG Legal Aid Lawyer of the year in 2011. David was one of three Mental Health Lawyers who had been nominated for this prestigious award that recognises the hard work and dedication of lawyers practicing in this area.
The judges, chaired by Cherie Booth QC, made 10 awards, to recognise excellence among the lawyers who act for some of the poorest and most socially disadvantaged people in society. During the ceremony, he was described as “an exemplary mental health lawyer who never shies away from difficult cases” and was praised for giving “a voice to the voiceless”.
David’s nomination for this prestigious award is an outstanding and well-deserved achievement. Nominations were sought from all over the country and for David to have been short-listed is a great testament to his abilities and professionalism.
Professional Associations
David is a Committee member of the Mental Health Lawyers Association and is currently the Secretary. He has been a committee member of the MHLA since 2002. The MHLA is the professional association of Mental Health Lawyers in England and Wales. Around 80% of lawyers representing clients in applications before the Mental Health Tribunal are members.
David is currently a Council Member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives since 2015. The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives is the professional association that represents more than 20,000 trainee and practising Chartered Legal Executives.
